Lake County Gazette

Illinois State Representative Tom Weber, along with Representatives Joe Sosnowski and Martin McLaughlin, gathered at the Illinois Capitol to advocate for property tax relief solutions. Weber highlighted the urgency of the situation, emphasizing how escalating property taxes are jeopardizing residents' ability to maintain their homes.

Weber expressed his concern for Illinois residents facing overwhelming property tax burdens, stating, “Men and women across Illinois have worked hard and done everything right to provide a home for their families.” He further added, “As I represent a district on the border of Wisconsin, I can tell you how frustrating it is when constituents, especially seniors who have lived in Illinois for decades, tell me they have no choice but to consider leaving Illinois because they can’t afford the taxes on their home anymore."

The proposed solutions aim to address the challenges faced by residents due to unchecked property tax increases. Weber highlighted the need for legislation to establish hard caps on property tax hikes to protect homeowners from excessive financial strain. He introduced House Bills 4354 and 4716, which would limit individual property tax bills and assessments from rising above 5% or 3%, respectively.

“We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that increasing property taxes are pushing hardworking people to the brink, forcing many to consider selling their homes to seek refuge in cheaper, and sometimes questionable areas,” Weber reiterated, underscoring the importance of creating a stable and predictable tax environment for Illinois residents.

Representing the 64th House District, encompassing communities in northwest Lake County and northeast McHenry County along the Wisconsin border, Weber and his colleagues are committed to providing relief to residents grappling with soaring property taxes.